General Park Questions

Traffic and parking issues outside of the park boundary are not included in scope of the project; however the City’s project management team will consult with the traffic operations group to discuss these issues to convey concerns and confirm if improvements Buena Vista Road are currently being considered.

Key priorities for the parks include – off leash area, rowing, kayaking, connections to the river valley pathway system, picnicking, and access to the North Saskatchewan River, balanced with conservation and preservation of natural areas.

The City recognizes that this park area has a wide variety of users including walkers and runners, dog walkers, rowers, kayakers, canoeist, picnickers, bikers, naturalist and, boaters. The design team anticipates there will be an increase in user groups mentioned above as well as families and increased use of the shared use pathway.

The lease area around the rowing club, the white water paddler club and Yorath House grounds are all considered on leash areas as noted at the City of Edmonton website for off leash park sites. Only the areas highlighted in green are currently considered off leash.

The Buena Vista off leash area is the second largest area of its kind in the City of Edmonton and has limited room for expansion. The plans do formalize an increased foot print of the off leash area that will provide access the beach along the North Saskatchewan River north of and under the existing pedestrian bridge to Hawrelak Park. This area is currently not designated as off leash. Significant improvements to the off leash area are also proposed, such as new washrooms, benches, looping pathways, a fenced training area, and improved signage.